Sole-protecting device



Dec. 19, 1922. 1,438,979.

1. CAVANAGH. v

SOLE PROTECTING DEVICE.

' FILED JUNE 16| 1919.

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- Patented ec. 19, 1922.

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JAMES CAVANAGH, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO UNTTED SHOE MACHINERY CORPORATION, OF PATERS ON, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

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Application filed June 16, 1919. Serial No. 304,670.

To wZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES CAvANAeH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, in the county of Suflolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Sole-Protecting Devices, of

"which the following description, in connec;

tion with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like reference characters on the drawings indicating like parts in the several figures.

The present invention relates to protecting devices and more especially it concerns devices for protecting the extension sole edge of a shoe while the upper of the shoe is being dressed or similarly treated.

In many styles of shoes and particularly those having white or colored tops the extension sole edge is not stained or finished the same as that of the shoe upper. For example, shoes with white canvas uppers or tops have the extension sole edges left in the natural leather finish. After a short period of wear the shoe tops become soiled, making it necessary to redress the tops with a suitable shoe dressing especially prepared for this purpose. One of the difficulties experienced in re-dressing the shoe is in preventin the top dressing from staining the natura finish of the extension sole edge during the application of the dressing.

It is the objectof the present invention to provide a simple and inexpensive forni of sole protecting device for protecting the top and vertical edge face of the extension sole of a shoe during the application of dressing to the shoe top, this protecting device being such that it can be furnished with each. package of dressing, as by being contained in a carton together with the dressing. For this latter purpose it is essential that it should possess characteristics which will enable it to be confined in a relatively small space, as in the package which contains the shoe dressing, and also to be eflective in protecting the sole edges of all styles and sizes of shoes. With these consid erations in mind, the present invention provides a sole edge protecting device consisting of a suitable length of narrow material presenting two substantially right angled flanges of a width sufficient to cover the top and side faces, respectively, of the extension sole. edgeof a shoe and having a flexibility vof the extension portion of the sole.

which enables the said two flanges to be pro! gressively conformed into protecting position on the extension sole edge.

In the illustrated preferred embodiment of the invention the protecting device is made up of an inexpensive composition of rubber vulcanized into a shape to present two right-angled flanges having a width suf ficient to cover the top and vertical surfacles T e strip is also vulcanized to a flexibility which enables it to be conformed progressively into position toenable the flanges to protect the right-angled sole surfaces and to be-rolled up tooccupy the minimum amount of room in the-carton or package containing the shoe dressing. In the use of the device this flexibility allows it to 'be conformed progressively to the sole edge in which position it may be conveniently heldin place with one hand while the user applies the dressing with the other hand.

The above and other objects and features of the invention willappear from the following description when considered in connection with the drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a sole edge protecting device made in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 illustrates its application to a shoe.

The sole edge protecting device, as illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, comprises a strip of vulcanized rubber compound.

shaped to present two flanges 2, 4 of substantiall uniform width and disposed at substantially right. angles to each other. The flange 2 is of a width to enter the welt crease of a shoe and the flange 4 to cover the vertical sole edge. As indicated in Fig, 1, the flanges are preferably tapered in thickness toward their outer edges, the inner surfaces of which, however, form substantially a right angle;

The" strip is vulcanized to a'fiexibility which will enable it to-be conformed to the sole edge as it is progressively laid in position on the sole by the user. It will thus be seen that the device can be readily used with any size and style of shoe. Also this flexibility ofv the device enables it to be wound upon itself so that it may be placed in a carton, together with a package of shoe dressing, and take up a minimum amount of room.

In the use of the device, the user positions the flange 2 in the welt crease of the shoe 8 from the shank on one side ofv the shoe to tects the Welt crease from the shoe dressing I'claim as new and desire to secure during its application while the flange 4 covers the; vertical sole edge of the shoe. The

strip is conveniently held in position on the shoe by the operator using one hand to hold both the free ends of the strip in the welt. crease. By making the device of rubber compound and vulcanizing it so that it is more or less soft and flexible, the device conforms very accurately to the contour of the sole and when in position on the shoe, offers sufiicient frictional resistance to hold it in. position with a minimum effort.

Having thus described my invention, what b Letters Patent of the United States is y 1. As an article of manufacture, a sole edge protecting device comprising a suitable length of narrow material presenting two substantially right angled continuous flanges of a width sufficient to cover the top and side faces, respectively, of the extension sole edge of a shoe, the material of said flanges having a flexibility which enables 7 the said two flanges to be progressively conformed into protecting position on the extension sole edge.

2. An an article of manufacture, a sole of the extension sole when the strip is progressively positioned along the extension sole edge of a shoe.

3. As an article of manufacture, a sole 'edge protecting device comprising a suitable length of rubber compound vulcanized into a shape which provides two right angled flanges of a suflicient width to cover the top and the side faces respectively of the extension sole edge of a shoe, said strip being vulcanized to a flexibility to enable it to be conformed progressively to the extension sole edge of a shoe with thesaid right extension sole surface.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

. JAMES CAVANAGH.

, angled flanges in protecting position on'the 

